Friends and family raise money for OSF actor's legal fees

Ashland, Ore. -- Friends and family of one Oregon Shakespeare Festival actor are coming to his defense with an online campaign to cover his legal fees.

According to the fundraising website friends and family of Tyrone Wilson raised thousands of dollars to bail Wilson out of jail and for legal fees.

Wilson was arrested last month on sexual allegations. Police say the allegations came from a woman Wilson was in a relationship with in November 2013. They say the relationship started consensual, but took a turn.

Now the actor, who has been with OSF for 19 seasons, is facing three counts of first degree sex abuse and two counts of first degree sodomy.

But Wilson is out on bail tonight thanks in part to fundraising efforts. Wilson wrote in an online post that $50,000 was raised in less than two days to bring him home.

Eileen DeSandre said she supports Wilson. She's known him since he came to Ashland to start working for OSF.

"Everything I know about Tyrone is that he is a man of character and responsibility," DeSandre said.

She said she thinks Wilson is innocent. DeSandre also said raising money for Wilson is the least he deserves.

"I will continue to give what I can," DeSandre said.

On top of the bail they've also already raised more than $30,000 for legal fees. Their goal is to raise $100,000 to put toward Wilson's defense. A defense they hope will bring justice to their friend.